(16-Jan-2017, 03:39)rafal123 Wrote: Thanks for all your suggestions. Unfortunately I still don't have a solution. Tried two different Companions, tried going back to 10.0.2 firmware. Nothing works.

The problem is also present on any analog input as everything is digitized to at least 96kHz by Devialet. And I believe AIR down samples to 48 kHz so that is why it works. Tired USB, SPDIF, Optical inputs - all the same.

The reason I am using RCA to XLR is to connect a 2nd Companion for a Center channel. But the issues are present even in simple configs with just a Master and one Companion.

Very frustrating intro to Devialet.

baddog, how long is your DH Labs cable I am using 10ft/3m cable. Wondering if length can be a problem. Tried reseting und upgrading firmware, doesn't work. Thanks.

I also asked Devialet. First it took them a week to conclude it cannot be impedance problem and it is likely that the cable is physically broken. So I got a bunch of other cables and tested everything to the same effect (all cables were 3m long). So they changed their mind and now say "we are facing an impedance problem : source is 75R, receiver is 110R, unless using a conversion transformer, impedances won't match and will prevent from proper operation at higher frequencies." I think its fair to say that Devialet doesn't expect RCA to XLR to work even though they advertise it as a viable option.

I used a RCA to XLR cable to connect my second D-Premier to my original one to produce a dual mono more or less as soon as the capability was added to the Configurator with v3 or v4 of the firmware. I continued to use it when I updated them to a pair of 250s and connected them as a 800, so for the best part of 4 years.
Never a problem, and back then many believed this connection gave the best SQ for a pair of amps, including me. I use the supplied link cable now with my O d'A and use some inputs on the companion.

Ok, so my saga with companion cable is resolved and I want to share with the forum so people can avoid all my troubles.

I have Devialet Expert Pro 440 connected through a 3m (10 feet) RCA to XLR cable.

I tried numerous cable solutions from Crystal Cable (Reference, Standard), Siltech (90Ohm and 110Ohm), DH Labs (110Ohm), Sweetwater (110Ohm) and none of them works with 96khz and above high resolution files (companion speaker is silent). I thought that Sweetwater cable works, but it was only true on couple of songs.

After trying to resolve it with Devialet for over 6 months and tireless work of my dealer I found that you need a impedance transformer. I used Picolino RCA to AES/EBU (http://www.broadcastlines.com/Picolino_A..._conv.html) which is the only RCA to XLR converter we were able to find. I talked to Audio Prana about a custom cable with a transformer built in but they were not comfortable building a cable of that length.

We isolated the issue to the cable solution (tried many configs and several Devialet units).

It is hard to say what the cutout length is, but if you want RCA to XLR connector of any meaningful lenght it will not work well without a transformer.

Thanks to Rafal123 post above, I did not have to go thru a lot of troubleshooting steps he had gone thru.

I recently acquired a short speaker cable (4' Audience 24 SX) which required me to move my companion unit about 12' from the master unit. I ordered a 15' Blue Jeans cable with the same specs as my 3' BJ cable. The sound was wonderful with new speaker cables except I could not play 24/192 files from Oppo->Mutec->250pro(AES). This combination worked well with 3' cable.
Then I came across Rafal123's post and we exchanged PMs. Unfortunately , I could not get RCA->XLR (75->100 ohm)impedance transformer, so I ordered BNC->XLR transformer like below. They also have similar transformer from Canare.https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8...tml?sts=pi

After inserting the transformer, I can play 24/192 files without any problems. The sound is wonderful but I also felt that the companion/Right Speaker could have gained couple of DBs to be at par with Left speaker . I need to test this with SPL meter though.

I think AudioPrana cables already have a passive transformer like this built in.

Even if you are using shorter link cables, I would certainly encourage you to try a similar transformer if you are using RCA->XLR link cable.

(26-Jun-2018, 19:01)sam1000 Wrote: Thanks to Rafal123 post above, I did not have to go thru a lot of troubleshooting steps he had gone thru.

I recently acquired a short speaker cable (4' Audience 24 SX) which required me to move my companion unit about 12' from the master unit. I ordered a 15' Blue Jeans cable with the same specs as my 3' BJ cable. The sound was wonderful with new speaker cables except I could not play 24/192 files from Oppo->Mutec->250pro(AES). This combination worked well with 3' cable.
Then I came across Rafal123's post and we exchanged PMs. Unfortunately , I could not get RCA->XLR (75->100 ohm)impedance transformer, so I ordered BNC->XLR transformer like below. They also have similar transformer from Canare.https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8...tml?sts=pi

After inserting the transformer, I can play 24/192 files without any problems. The sound is wonderful but I also felt that the companion/Right Speaker could have gained couple of DBs to be at par with Left speaker . I need to test this with SPL meter though.

I think AudioPrana cables already have a passive transformer like this built in.

Even if you are using shorter link cables, I would certainly encourage you to try a similar transformer if you are using RCA->XLR link cable.

(27-Jun-2018, 00:05)Axel Wrote: I bought a 110 Ohm cable from Cabledyne, who make a dedicated Devialet cable. Works like a dream, and saves having to use a transformer. http://www.cabledyne.com/devialet.html

Thanks Axel. How long is your Cabledyne cable. As I said, Blue Jeans Belden cable which is also 110 ohm worked fine with shorter lengths. If longer length Cabledyne works, then I might think about buying it since it's got very good feedback here.